To minimize the effects of lightning induced surges to the Solectek radio systems and in-building equipment, detailed attention must be paid to the site construction, grounding and protection systems.
Grounding
The quality and location of earth ground systems play a critical role in the performance of any lightning suppression system. Both are key to minimizing the voltage developed across conductors during a strike.
Since a strike is a fast, high-current event, single ground references are not sufficient to protect all devices in a system. For example, SkyWay’s local suppression and grounding will not guarantee that equipment on the far side of a shielded, Cat5 cable run will be protected.
The grounding system for a tower or rooftop based deployment should always be in compliance with ANSI J-STD-607A (2002) and ANSI T1.313-2003, the details of which are outside the scope of this document. However, the recommended approach for the attachment of the Solectek radios, cables and external surge suppression devices to the grounding system is detailed in
Appendix A and Appendix B for tower and rooftop mounted systems, respectively.
Suppression
In addition to adequate grounding, surge suppression hardware is necessary to limit the exposure of radio and network equipment to damaging spikes. As with other portions of the installation system, the effectiveness of a surge suppression system can be drastically impacted by grounding that is poorly designed and installed.
A suppression device must be physically located near to the device it is protecting. To protect two physically separated devices, two suppressors are required. For example, it is necessary to have two surge suppression systems when installing each Solectek radio: one close to the radio, one at the network facility entrance.
The effectiveness of any surge suppression system is also dependent on the quality of the suppressor design. One figure of merit is the ‘Installation Class’ (ability to withstand surge transients) of the suppression device when tested against IEC 61000-4-5. Solectek’s internal surge suppression system is rated to ‘Class5,’ the highest rating available. However, when installed in areas with high lightning activity, installation of a secondary, external suppressor next to the radio may be warranted.
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Qualification
Solectek does not manufacture surge suppression devices. Instead, Solectek partners with reputable manufacturers of such devices and works to qualify the suppression devices used in conjunction with Solectek radio gear.
Solectek only qualifies devices meeting or exceeding IEC 61000-4-5 Class 5 surge standards.
However, it is the surge suppressor manufacturer’s responsibility to provide a device which delivers the specified surge capability.
Solectek’s qualification is focused on two areas: (a) functional impact (b) installation considerations.
Since the suppression hardware is typically in-line with the radio’s power and signaling lines,
Solectek qualifies each candidate device to ensure there is no functional degradation to an operating system. For example, any degradation to the PoE power system or Ethernet signaling
(e.g. – RX errors), will disqualify a suppression device.
In addition, Solectek reviews the mechanical design of the suppressor to ensure that it is reasonable to install, contains the required accessories and is designed to withstand the same environmental conditions as our radio product.
NOTE: No lightning suppression system can protect sensitive radio and network equipment under all conditions. This document is intended to serve as guide and is not intended to fully represent or replace the need to comply with in-country and international safety standards. Solectek shall not be liable for any damages, physical or otherwise, resulting from the installation, correct or otherwise, or use of its radio products or recommended lightning suppression systems.
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Appendix A: Tower-Mount Configuration
I I
Parts List
A) Solectek Radio.
Mounted on tower/mast per Solectek User’s Guide.
B) Radio Grounding Cable Assembly.
The radio is grounded through included Mast Mounting Kit. Attachment to a grounded Mast will provide a surge discharge path. However, for additional protection and compliance per ANSI JSTD 607A (2002), a grounding cable shall be connected between the radio and grounded tower. Grounding cable assembly shall be constructed of a copper conductor, AWG 6 or larger and <6 feet in length. Attachment to the radio shall utilize Harger GECL-6 (or equivalent) mounted to one of the four, rear chassis mounting screws.
Attachment of the cable assembly to tower shall be dependent on tower dimensions and configuration, per ANSI JSTD 607A.
C) Outdoor, Shielded CAT5 cable.
Length shall be <4 feet.
D) Surge Suppressor.
Solectek qualified 3 rd
party surge suppressor. See later Appendices for installation guidelines and photos.
E) Surge Suppressor Grounding Cable Assembly
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Grounding cable assembly shall be constructed of a copper conductor, AWG 6 or larger, <6 feet in length and attached or bonded to tower per ANSI JSTD 607A specifications.
F) Ethernet Cable Ground Kit
Andrew Ethernet Grounding Kit, installed per manufacturer’s documentation.
G) Ground Cable Lug
Fastener for Ethernet ground cable attached or bonded to tower per ANSI JSTD
607A specifications.
H) Ethernet Cable
Cable shall consist of a shielded, UV resistant, Cat5 (or better) construction.
Contact Solectek for available lengths of pre-fabricated cables.
I) Ethernet Cable Ground Kit
To be implemented only if tower height is larger than 200ft. If needed, kit shall be placed every 50 feet, per ANSI TI.313-105.1. Solectek recommends the
Andrew Ethernet Grounding Kit, installed per manufacturer’s documentation.
See installation guidelines in a following Appendix.
J) Ground Cable Lug
Fastener for Ethernet ground cable attached or bonded to tower per ANSI JSTD
607A specifications.
K) Ethernet Cable Ground Kit
Andrew Ethernet Grounding Kit, installed per manufacturer’s documentation.
L) Ground Cable Lug
Fastener for Ethernet ground cable attached or bonded to tower per ANSI JSTD
607A specifications.
M) Surge Suppressor.
Solectek qualified 3 rd
party surge suppressor. See later Appendices for installation guidelines and photos.
N) Surge Suppressor Grounding Cable Assembly
Grounding cable assembly shall be constructed of a copper conductor, AWG 6 or larger, <6 feet in length and attached or bonded to tower per ANSI JSTD 607A specifications.
O) Ethernet Cable
Cable shall consist of a shielded, UV resistant, Cat5 (or better) construction.
Contact Solectek for available lengths of pre-fabricated cables.
P) Ethernet Cable Ground Kit
Andrew Ethernet Grounding Kit, installed per manufacturer’s documentation.
Q) Building busbar.
R) Network Switch or Gateway.
S) External Ground Bar
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Appendix B: Roof-Mount Configuration
I I
Parts List
A) Solectek Radio.
Mounted on tower/mast per Solectek User’s Guide.
B) Radio Grounding Cable Assembly.
The radio is grounded through included Mast Mounting Kit. Attachment to a grounded
Mast will provide a surge discharge path. However, for additional protection and compliance per ANSI JSTD 607A (2002), a grounding cable shall be connected between the radio and grounded tower. Grounding cable assembly shall be constructed of a copper conductor, AWG 6 or larger and <6 feet in length. Attachment to the radio shall utilize Harger GECL-6 (or equivalent) mounted to one of the four, rear chassis mounting screws. Attachment of the cable assembly to grounded tower/mast shall be dependent on tower dimensions and configuration, per ANSI JSTD 607A. If mast is not grounded, then assembly shall be bonded to downconductors (J, N).
C) Outdoor, Shielded CAT5 cable.
Length shall be less than 4 feet.
D) Surge Suppressor.
Solectek qualified 3 rd
party surge suppressor. See later Appendices for installation guidelines and photos.
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E) Surge Suppressor Grounding Cable Assembly
Grounding cable assembly shall be constructed of a copper conductor, AWG 6 or larger, <6 feet in length and attached or bonded to grounded tower per ANSI JSTD 607A specifications. If mast is not grounded, then assembly shall be bonded to downconductors (J, N).
F) Ethernet Cable Ground Kit
To be implemented only if tower height is larger than 200ft. If needed, kit shall be placed every 50 feet, per ANSI TI.313-105.1. Solectek recommends the Andrew Ethernet
Grounding Kit, installed per manufacturer’s documentation. See installation guidelines in a following Appendix.
G) Ground Cable Lug
Fastener for Ethernet ground cable attached or bonded to tower per ANSI JSTD 607A specifications.
H) Ethernet Cable
Cable shall consist of a shielded, UV resistant, Cat5 (or better) construction. Contact
Solectek for available lengths of pre-fabricated cables.
I) Rooftop Mounted Tower/Mast
If the tower/mast does not provide a suitable lightning discharge path, then connection between ground cable assemblies B, E and G should be made directly to downconductors
J and N.
J) Downconductor
Specified and installed per ANSI JSTD 607A.
K) Ethernet Cable Ground Kit
Andrew Ethernet Grounding Kit, installed per manufacturer’s documentation.
L) Ground Cable Lug
Fastener for Ethernet ground cable attached or bonded to tower per ANSI JSTD 607A specifications.
M) Surge Suppressor.
Solectek qualified 3 rd
party surge suppressor. See later Appendices for installation guidelines and photos.
N) Downconductor
Specified and installed per ANSI JSTD 607A
O) Ethernet Cable
Cable shall consist of a shielded, UV resistant, Cat5 (or better) construction. Contact
Solectek for available lengths of pre-fabricated cables.
P) Ethernet Cable Ground Kit
Andrew Ethernet Grounding Kit, installed per manufacturer’s documentation.
Q) Ground Cable Lug
Fastener for Ethernet ground cable attached or bonded to tower per ANSI JSTD 607A specifications.
R) Building busbar.
S) Network Switch or Gateway.
T) External Ground Bar
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Appendix C. All Ethernet POE systems
•
•
•
WARNING:
INCORRECT INSTALLATION OF THIS OR ANY OTHER SURGE SUPPRESSOR CAN PERMANENTLY
DAMAGE THE SOLECTEK SKYWAY RADIO OR POWER INJECTOR. SOLECTEK IS NOT
RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY MIS-INSTALLATION OF THIS OR ANY OTHER SURGE
SUPPRESSION DEVICE.
WARNING:
The SkyWay-CM Series microwave radios use proprietary POE configuration for power and data on all 8 wires. Most off-the-shelf surge suppressors are NOT compatible. Use the suppressor supplied by Solectek or consult Solectek sales and support for recommendation.
Installation Guidelines:
•
Wire/pin assignments are per TIA/EIA 568B.
•
Remove the end caps from both compression fittings and slide one over each end of the two cables. Pull a length of cable through the fitting, at least so the end is touching the wall of the suppressor. To expose the 8 twisted pairs and the drain wire, strip the outer cable covering back to the mid point of the suppressor. A 3 to 31/4” inch strip is ideal.
•
You can disconnect the blue terminal block from the board to facilitate the wiring. A small screwdriver is needed.
•
Identify and move aside the bare ground/drain wire. Untwist and straighten about 3/8” from the end of each wire pair before attempting to punch down. Where possible maintain the twist of each wire pair. The ground/drain wire is shown in the picture below.
•
Grounding the main lug properly to a ground source is also essential.
•
Waterproofing putty or mastic should be used at the compression fitting.
•
Unit should be mounted vertically (connectors facing downward) with drip loops used on both cables.
•
Suppression is bidirectional
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Figures : Picture on top shows disconnected terminal block for wiring. Picture on bottom shows completed wiring, except for the drain wire, which must be connected to the ground pin. The screw can be loosened to fasten the drain wire. You may need to take the jacket off another inch to bring the drain wire to the ground pin.
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Appendix D. Andrew Ethernet Ground Kit
Per Appendix B, C, certain installations will require grounding of the outdoor Ethernet+PoE cable shield at evenly spaced locations along the cable run. Solectek recommends the Andrew
Ethernet Ground Kit (Andrew/Comscope Part# 223158-2) for this purpose. Installation is as follows.
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